Transat, one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada's holiday travel leader, is expanding its presence in Ontario by offering a full range of escorted and independent tours to a wide array of exotic and long-haul destinations all around the world, including in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Starting this fall, tours in Thailand, Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and several Eastern European countries will be offered on the Ontario market. These destinations and tours, which have been sold in Quebec for 25 years, will be made available through travel agents under the new Transat Discoveries brand.
“Escorted tours, as well as FIT (foreign independent tour) represent a growing trend in holiday travel, and the variety of destinations sought by customers is also constantly expanding, in all four corners of the world,” said Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat A.T. Inc. “Essentially, this is about leveraging the expertise we have accumulated over the years in Quebec and in France, where we have been offering these same destinations for many years.”
Transat Discoveries, known in Quebec for 25 years as Rêvatours (Transat Découvertes as of October 1, 2011), is already in operation. It is headed by General Manager Renée Boisvert, a long-time Transat executive and seasoned travel professional. “We have high ambitions, including tailoring tours for small groups and individual travellers, as this is clearly a growing segment market,” said Ms. Boisvert.
Dan Prior has been hired as Sales Director for Ontario. Based in Toronto, he is responsible for planning and implementing sales and marketing. His most recent positions at Exotik and Boomerang Tours enabled him to develop his understanding of wholesale and FIT sales and operations in the niche market of the tour operating industry. He also worked at Contiki and AAT Kings.
Transat Discoveries customers typically fly on scheduled carriers. Partner carriers include Air Canada, Air France KLM, Air Transat, LAN, Delta, Cathay Pacific, JAL, Royal Air Maroc and others.
In 2010, Transat sold more than 350,000 tours and customized trips in Canada, France, the United Kingdom and a number of other source markets abroad, to Canada, Greece and a wide range of medium- and long-haul destinations all over the world, including Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe as the main destinations.
Travel agents should note that brochures will be available in Ontario in early October and that Transat Discoveries’ call center for Ontario, at (416) 620-8066 or 1-855-300-3866, will open on October 1, 2011.
Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, accommodation, destination services and distribution. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A)